Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the current position in respect of an application for a four storey 74 bed residential care facility with associated resident and staff facilities, landscaping, car parking and associated access

(report attached)

  Plans, photographs, graphics and artist’s impressions were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had taken place earlier in the day

  The Panel considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the current position in relation to proposals for a new residential care facility at Seacroft Grange on the site of the former probation centre

  Officers presented the report and informed Members that a Ward Member meeting had taken place and that on balance, Ward Members were supportive of the scheme and considered that opportunities for replacement planting nearby should be pursued, with this being conditioned as part of any approval

  Members were also informed that the applicant’s representative had addressed the Seacroft Residents’ Association on the scheme with the proposals being well received

  The proposals followed the success of the existing residential accommodation adjacent, which was fully occupied.  A particular concern in relation to this scheme was the need for a significant proportion of existing trees to be removed

  Details were provided in relation to design, proposed materials, access and car parking

  Although only a position statement, Members were asked to consider whether determination of the application could be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer

  The Panel considered the report and the proposals as outlined and commented on the following matters:

·  the extent of the tree loss and that several of the trees proposed for removal were mature species

·  concerns that commercial considerations were being put before the natural environment, through the extensive loss of trees

·  that mitigation planting had to be conditioned; that it should be mature planting and should be agreed with Ward Members

·  the suitability of the site for further residential development, particularly in view of the range of facilities which were located close by

·  the design of the scheme and the need for the proposed render to be maintained, with the possibility of this being conditioned

·  that consideration should be given to the inclusion of pv technology on the roof of the building

·  the possibility of reusing the timber from the felled trees within the build or for outdoor furniture, subject to the suitability of the timber for this use

·  the need for good communication with the local community to explain the works to the trees, including how and why this was being undertaken

The Panel considered how to proceed with the majority of Members being satisfied that the application could be deferred and delegated to

the Chief Planning Officer for determination  The conflicting views

associated with the loss of so many trees were noted as was the inability of the site to be effectively utilised without affecting the trees

  The Panel considered how to proceed

Councillor R Grahame continued to voice his opposition to the loss of

trees

  RESOLVED – i)  That Panel supported the principle of development and the design of the proposed building

  ii)  That the application be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for determination, in consultation with Ward Members

  iii)  That replacement tree planting should be agreed with Ward Members; that mature, native specimens should be provided and that appropriate Officers from Parks and Countryside should be included in discussions on the replacement tree planting

  iv)  That consideration should be given to including renewable energy technology in the design of the building

  v)  That the timber from the removal of the mature trees should be used in appropriate ways on site

  vi)  That communication with the local community be undertaken prior to the commencement of works, to explain the basis of the decision to allow the removal of the trees and how this would be carried out

  Under Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor R Grahame required it to be recorded that he voted against this matter